Binding post



sept. 3o, 1930. Y J. JOHNSTON 1,776,859

' BINDING PosT v Filed Aug. 10.1928

Inventor Patented Sept. 30, 1930 I UNITED i STATES PATENfr oFFlcr.

Joan murieron, or LA cnossn, wrsoonsnr .fantome rosa:

Application med August 10, 1988. Serial No. 298,722.'

The present invention relates to new and useful lmprovements in binding posts, and the same has more particular reference to a binding post to which a plurality of conducl tors may be'separately attached.

The invention aims .to reduce the great number of binding posts necessary in making connections to various electrical devices and apparatus,`at the same time conserving material and obviously reducin not only the original cost of installation utfalso in the maintenance thereof.

The prime object of the invention is to provide a binding post to which a plurality of conductors may be separately attached with the employment of but a single tensional element.

An equally important object is to provide a device of this character which can be manufactured far below the cost of a plurality of conventional binding posts of whlch the present invention ma be practically substituted.

Still another o ject is to provide tensional means for the aforementioned binding post contemplated to prevent any accidental disconnection of'the conductors as has been the disadvantage of the majority of binding posts now in use.

After considering the following specification and claims, other im ortant objects and advantages of the inventlon will become ap arent.

n the drawing:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the improved bin mg post.

Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal 'sectional' view through the improved binding ost, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of tpe novel support emplo ed for supporting the aforementioned binclin post.

Referring to t e drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, a tubular shell I I clalm as new 1S 1 preferably constructed of some insulating material, is closed at one end 2 and internally threaded at its opposite end to receive a bushing 3. The bushing 3 is internally threaded to receive a set screw 4. The shell 1 is formed with longitudinally spaced openings 5.

A- compressible coiled spring 6 is arranged 5 longitudinally within the shell 1, and has one vend thereof abutting the inner end of the bushing 3. A thumb screw 7 is threaded through the closed end 2 of the shell, while a spherical follower 8 is interposed within the shell 1 between the end of the screw 7, and the opposite end'of the spring 6.

The coiled spring 6 is so calibrated, that the convolutions thereof, pass across the inner ends of the openings 5 of the shell 1, so that a conductor tip inserted through one of the openings 5 will result in the tensional engagement of the adjacent convolution of the spring therewith, for maintaining the tip secured in position.

After the proper conductors have been-connected to the binding posts with their tips projecting through the openings 5, the thumb screw 7 may be screwed inwardly, for causing the follower 8 to compress the spring 6. The compression of the convolutions will. more firmly secure the conductor tips to the binding post.

For supporting a plurality of these novel binding posts, a panel 9 is provided with an oppositely disposed flange 10 projecting laterally at each longitudinal edge thereof. rlhese flanges are formed with slots 11, while the panel 9 is formed with similar slots 12. The set screw 4 of the binding post is adaptedA to be extended through one of these slots and threaded into the bushing 3 for attaching the binding post firmly to the support.

It is preferable that this support be constructed of some insulating material and further formed with openings 13 and 14 respectively. The openings -13 serve to permit the expansion of cables therethrough, while the greater number of openings 14 permit the separation of the end portions of conductors leading to the respective binding posts sup ported on the panel.

Having thus described my invention, what -body being closed at its opposite ends, a thumb screw threaded through one end of the body, a coiled spring disposed lon itudinally within the body, Aone end thereo being i adapted to abut `one closed end thereof, and

a follower interposed between the opposite end of the spring, and said thumb screw, said follower bemg of spherical shape.

2. A binding post of the class described comprising a hollow body formed with a plurality of lon 'tudinally spaced openings, the opposite en s` of the body being closed, a compressible spring arranged within the body and a screw engaged through one end of the body, a ball interposed between the screw and the adjacent end of the spring and adapted to be urged against the spring to compress the same when the screw is fed inwardly..

In testimony whereof I aix m si ature.-

JOHN J0 NS ON.. 

